Jamaica bids farewell to a literary giant, Professor Edward Baugh, whose profound influence on Caribbean literature echoes through the corridors of academia and resonates in the hearts of poetry enthusiasts worldwide. The distinguished poet, author, academic, and orator passed away at the age of 87 on Saturday, leaving behind a legacy that transcends both time and borders.

Born in Port Antonio, Portland, in 1936, Baugh’s journey into the realm of literature began at the University College of the West Indies, where his passion for English literature blossomed. His intellectual pursuits culminated in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Manchester, focusing on the poetry of Arthur Symons.

Baugh’s contributions to Caribbean literature are immeasurable, notably as one of the featured poets in ‘Seven Jamaican Poets’ (1971). His poetic prowess found a home in various collections, including ‘From Our Yard’ and ‘The Penguin Book of Caribbean Verse’. Individual masterpieces such as ‘Truth and Consequence,’ ‘The Carpenter’s Complaint,’ and ‘The Warner Woman’ solidified his place among the literary elite.

Beyond his role as a poet, Baugh earned acclaim as a distinguished scholar, particularly for his dedication to the work of St Lucian Nobel Laureate, Derek Walcott. He played a pivotal role in editing Walcott’s ‘Selected Poems’ in 2007.

Baugh’s scholarly impact extended to the classrooms of the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, where he devoted over 30 years to teaching. As Professor of English from 1978 until his retirement in 2001, he shaped generations of aspiring writers and thinkers.

His critical insights into Caribbean poetry found expression in seminal works such as ‘West Indian Poetry 1900–1970: A Study in Cultural Decolonisation,’ and influential essays like ‘Towards a West Indian Criticism’ and ‘The West Indian Writer and his Quarrel with History’. Baugh was not merely a teacher but a custodian of a distinct Caribbean approach to literary criticism.

The accolades that adorned Baugh’s remarkable career included Jamaica’s fifth-highest honour, the Order of Distinction, and the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in 1995. Jamaicans took to social media to pay their respects, with Minister of Culture, Entertainment, Gender, and Sports, Olivia Grange, acknowledging the silence left by Baugh’s passing but celebrating the enduring legacy of his great works.

In the words of Joseph Farquharson, a senior lecturer at UWI, “His skill with words will leave a deficit, but his contribution will live on.” Professor Edward Baugh’s voice may have fallen silent, but the resonance of his words will continue to echo in the halls of literature and academia, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of the Caribbean.